Following up on a letter of recommendation request can feel awkward, especially when you don’t want to appear impatient. A polite and professional follow-up email serves as a gentle reminder while showing appreciation for the recommender’s time and effort.
Whether you’re applying for a job, graduate school, scholarship, internship, or professional certification, the examples below will help you send a courteous and effective follow-up email.
Why Send a Follow-Up Email?
A follow-up email can help you:
- Gently remind the recommender about your request
- Confirm whether they need additional information
- Mention an upcoming submission deadline
- Express gratitude for their support
- Keep communication professional and respectful
45+ Samples of Follow-Up Emails for a Letter of Recommendation
Gentle Reminder Emails
1. Friendly Reminder
I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to kindly follow up regarding my request for a letter of recommendation. I truly appreciate your time and consideration.
2. Checking In
I just wanted to check in regarding my recommendation letter request. Please let me know if there’s any additional information I can provide.
3. Polite Follow-Up
I wanted to follow up on my previous email regarding the recommendation letter. Thank you again for considering my request.
4. Brief Reminder
I hope all is well. I wanted to send a quick reminder about my recommendation request. Thank you for your continued support.
5. Courteous Check-In
I understand you’re busy, but I wanted to check whether you might have had a chance to review my recommendation request.
Deadline Reminder Emails
6. Upcoming Deadline
I wanted to kindly remind you that the submission deadline is approaching on [date]. Thank you again for your support.
7. One-Week Reminder
Just a friendly reminder that the recommendation letter is due next week. I sincerely appreciate your help.
8. Deadline Follow-Up
I wanted to check in as the deadline is coming up soon. Please let me know if I can provide any additional information.
9. Time-Sensitive Reminder
With the application deadline approaching, I wanted to follow up regarding my recommendation request.
10. Final Reminder
I appreciate your willingness to support my application and wanted to send one final reminder before the submission deadline.
Professional Follow-Up Emails
11. Thank You and Reminder
Thank you again for agreeing to write my recommendation letter. I wanted to check whether you need anything further from me.
12. Offer of Assistance
Please let me know if there’s any information, documents, or updates that would help you prepare the letter.
13. Appreciative Follow-Up
I truly appreciate your support and wanted to follow up regarding the recommendation letter.
14. Status Inquiry
I wanted to check whether there have been any updates regarding my recommendation letter.
15. Respectful Reminder
I understand you have a busy schedule, and I sincerely appreciate your time and assistance.
Graduate School Recommendation Emails
16. Graduate Program Reminder
17. Master’s Application Follow-Up
18. PhD Recommendation Reminder
19. Scholarship Recommendation Follow-Up
20. Academic Reference Reminder
Example:
I wanted to follow up regarding my graduate school recommendation letter. The submission deadline is approaching, and I greatly appreciate your support.
Job Recommendation Follow-Ups
21. Employment Reference Reminder
22. Professional Recommendation Follow-Up
23. Promotion Recommendation Reminder
24. Internal Position Follow-Up
25. Career Reference Reminder
Example:
I wanted to check in regarding my recommendation letter for the position. Thank you again for agreeing to support my application.
Internship Recommendation Emails
26. Internship Application Reminder
27. Summer Program Recommendation
28. Fellowship Recommendation Reminder
29. Residency Recommendation Follow-Up
30. Volunteer Program Recommendation
Very Polite Follow-Up Emails
31. Gentle Check-In
I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to kindly check in regarding my recommendation request.
32. Appreciative Reminder
Thank you again for your time and willingness to help. I truly appreciate your support.
33. Respectful Inquiry
I completely understand your schedule is busy, so I simply wanted to follow up at your convenience.
34. Friendly Reminder
Just sending a friendly reminder regarding my recommendation request. Thank you again!
35. Gratitude-Focused
I sincerely appreciate your time and consideration and wanted to check in regarding the recommendation letter.
Short Follow-Up Emails
36.
Just checking in regarding my recommendation request. Thank you!
37.
I wanted to follow up and see if you need anything else from me.
38.
Thank you again for agreeing to write my recommendation.
39.
Please let me know if I can provide any additional materials.
40.
I appreciate your help and wanted to send a quick reminder.
Formal Follow-Up Emails
41.
I respectfully wanted to follow up regarding my previous request for a letter of recommendation.
42.
I appreciate your consideration and wanted to inquire whether any additional information would be helpful.
43.
Thank you for your continued support throughout my application process.
44.
I remain grateful for your assistance and wanted to provide a gentle reminder regarding the upcoming deadline.
45.
Thank you once again for your time and generosity. I truly appreciate your willingness to support my application.
Best Follow-Up Samples by Situation
| Situation | Recommended Email |
|---|---|
| Professor | I wanted to kindly follow up regarding my recommendation request. |
| Manager | Thank you again for agreeing to write my recommendation. |
| Graduate school | The application deadline is approaching, so I wanted to check in. |
| Job application | Please let me know if you need any additional information. |
| Scholarship | I sincerely appreciate your support and wanted to send a gentle reminder. |
| Internship | Thank you again for supporting my application. |
Tips for Following Up Professionally
- Wait 5–10 business days before sending a reminder unless the deadline is sooner.
- Keep your email brief and courteous.
- Mention the deadline if it is approaching.
- Offer to provide supporting materials such as your resume, personal statement, or application details.
- Always thank the recommender for their time and assistance.
FAQs
When should I follow up on a recommendation letter?
A good rule is to follow up after about one week if you haven’t received a response, or sooner if the submission deadline is near.
How do I remind someone without sounding rude?
Use polite language, acknowledge that they may be busy, and express appreciation. For example:
I understand you have a busy schedule, so I just wanted to send a gentle reminder regarding my recommendation request.
Should I include the deadline?
Yes. Mentioning the deadline helps the recommender prioritize your request without feeling pressured.
What if they still don’t respond?
If you don’t receive a response after a polite follow-up, consider sending one final reminder. If there’s still no reply, it may be best to ask another qualified person if time allows.
Conclusion
A thoughtful follow-up email can help ensure your letter of recommendation is submitted on time while maintaining a positive relationship with your recommender. By keeping your message polite, concise, and appreciative, you can remind them professionally without appearing pushy.